New school BBQ done right…read more Atmosphere: We visited during the Labor Day weekend and was expecting a long line, so we ventured out bright and early before the store opened. There was already a small line snaking outside (thankfully covered from the sun and there were some benches to sit on). Before the restaurant opened, they walked around with menus and took drink orders, and even had water outside for everyone. Once it opened, service was quick and efficient, with guests ordering at the counter and either taking it to go or seating themselves with staff preparing peach paper and napkins as place settings. Food: As our first BBQ joint we've visited in Texas, it set a very high bar for us. The standouts/highlights were definitely the pork belly with the nice peach tea glaze that helped cut the richness and sweetness (one piece each is more than enough), the beef rib with chimichurri that brought some parsley and garlic to the pepper bark and bite, the lengua special that was rich and tender at the same time, and the beef brisket burnt ends that were beautifully marbled and smoked. The rest of our platter was not bad, consisting of sausage with a good snap and the pork ribs and brisket which were tender. The scalloped potatoes were also on the heavier side, and we couldn't finish it, but the zucchini salad was a very nice contrast with the acidity to help us cut the richness of the bbq'd meats. The dessert was also a nice end that tied everything together. Service: The staff both at the counter and helping clear tables were very friendly to speak to, and threw in burnt ends as we mentioned it was our first time in Texas. They even helped us take a photo with our Polaroid camera when we asked! Definitely worth the wait and would come back if we ever got the chance

Interstellar BBQ was on my list of must visit during this trip to Austin. I was staying closer to…read moredowntown so this was more of a hike to get out here but it was a fun trip especially being able to try their amazing food. They also very fun of merchandise that I really wanted to get as a while. I got there about 30 minutes before opening and I was able to get my food about an hour afterwards. They went over a quick blur with everyone about how everything worked you that about the specials that they had for the day and also if you wanted to try things you can order things by the slice and not necessarily buy pound or the half pound. This freed things up for me to be able to try everything. I got the drunken turkey, a pork rib, pork belly, jalapeno popper sausage, and then there brisket. I knew there's no way I was going to be able to finish the food so also didn't get to order any of the signs or desserts this time of around. They're already a good maybe 20 or 30 people in line ahead of me when I got there prior to opening. Everyone looked very excited and wanting to try the food. I'm glad I did not mobile order the minimum order because there's no way I would have finished that. And at the very end they were able to give me a container that I could take on the airplane for my flight later this afternoon. There's so many delicious things on there many that I wanted to try. Sounded like a lot of people were ordering tacos too. There is a good amount of seating inside and also outside. Overall it's a fun experience and a very glad I came all this way here to experience everything.

Dam that joint was good…read more For the past couple weeks I've been planning a team gathering for the company I help Manage up in Austin, TX and it finally happened! We stayed at the @hyattplace in Lake Travis/Four Points and chose @bestdambbqjoint to take our group for a celebratory lunch in Texas Hill Country. This joint is the real deal, folks! Nestled on the sprawling oasis that is @planetrockvodka on Lake Travis, Best Dam BBQ is serving up some of the best smokey Texas goodness I've ever had. On top of that, you can enjoy vodka distilled on the property by @planetrockvodka From top to bottom, everything was remarkable, and for good reason. Scott, the property/business owner and Pit-master, could not have been cooler and is absolutely hands-on with his product. His attention and love for what he does most certainly came out in the food! It doesn't hurt that the truck staff could not have been any sweeter. Our group enjoyed a little of everything. Sliced Brisket Sandwiches, Rib Combos, Texas Twinkies, Brisket Quesadillas, Loaded Texas Potatoes, and on and on. The food was truly awesome. But what everyone seem to enjoy the most was just a setting. They was a Calf for the kids to pet, chickens to chance, dogs to play with. Along with swings, a playground, darts, outdoor TVs, and on and on. Just such an awesome place to be. This was a very special visit for our group and I personally was not ready to be so blown away. We could not have picked a better hotel or a more delicious place for lunch. Feeling very grateful and full today. Life is good (Pssst, Scott, I'll see you real soon!)

Cute little spot. Came on a Sunday and there were a few people. Kid friendly with little…read moreplayground, roaming chickens and fenced in baby bull (born 2021). There's an outdoor bar and indoor bar. I can see the parking lot getting pretty full easily. The drinks are okay. It's a little pricey and but very nice atmosphere. I would definitely come back.

Love me some Texas bbq! I got the brisket burnt ends and bison rib. Very good. Sides were Potato…read moresalad, Cole slaw and beans. All very good too. The potato salad reminded me of a German potato salad. No mayo in it, more like a vinegar base. The way I prefer it like my grandma used to make. Service was on point and friendly. Texas friendly. Place was clean and bathrooms too. Place is pretty big and the wait for the food was minimal. I'll also say the whole jalapeño I got was the hottest jalapeño I've ever had.

The service was great, our server actually had some really good recommendations on what to get so…read morewe don't have too much food. The sides that comes in the Salt lick plates are really good, the coleslaw, the potato and beans. We ordered the Bison rib & Brisket plate combo and the pulled pork. I thought brisket and the bison rib were more on the drier side. The pulled pork was more moist. We also ordered a side of sweet potato and that basket was big. Overall I would go back but I do wish the brisket was more moist. The inside is huge and very Texan.

The best BBQ in Central Texas! Quick service at the counter and a very clean, well organized and…read morebeautiful new building (the old one was lost in a fire). The outside dining areas are kept clean and well maintained and there's a play area for the kids also. They are popular, so arrive early for the best selection of menu options, including some weekly/monthly specials. The Helberg's and the staff are great people and I love supporting a family business.

GET: The brisket. The (fatty) brisket was top notch. Super tender meat with just enough fatty bits…read more Even my picky 2YO and 4YO kept asking for more. SKIP: The sides. Honestly, I wasn't that impressed. The chimichurri coleslaw is almost 5 bucks and it wasn't as crisp as I prefer. The Brussels sprouts weren't shaved/browned enough for my preference. The tallow fries were a bit limp and not crispy. Subjective preferences, perhaps, but I just wasn't a fan. Ultimately, all I really care about at a BBQ joint is the brisket. And they killed it. Line wasn't too long but not as fast as other places with similar or even greater demand -- probably took about 15 minutes. Large parking lot.

Finally got back to Franklin bbq. Was here last year for a conference in round rock and made it…read morethere now back here again a year later and wanted to make sure I returned. Did not disappoint. Me and my work compadre showed up and they handed him a sign that said last person standing, that means no more brisket after us and to let others that follow us know. Kind of sad to be the ones to let the others know. But man we lucked out! They run out every afternoon. They still had most of the other meats but we were there mainly for the brisket. We split 1 lb of brisket and 1 lb of pork ribs. Potato salad, coleslaw along with the complimentary pickles shed onions you serve yourself. Absolutely delicious. Best brisket and ribs I've ever had and I smoke a lot of meat myself including brisket. Mines good but not this good. Last time I was here an elderly gentleman leaned over and said the slices of bread you don't eat are great to use as napkins. He was right! Unconventional but it works better than paper napkins. Service is fantastic and everyone seems to love working there. They have a lot of swag too. I bought a t shirt. Place is super busy and a lot of non stop activity. The decor is cool too. Each time I wondered if a table would be available when we needed one and both times there were. We sat at a table with others that had room and they invited us to sit down before we asked. Texas hospitality! There are a few outdoor tables too. Hopefully I'll be back next year.

Now I know what real barbecue should taste like. This was our first stop in Austin and it was…read moreawesome. We stopped in about an hour before closing which had its pros and cons. The pro being the line was super short and the con being brisket was the only meat option available. We were blown away with how perfectly tender the brisket was. We could have used a plastic fork to cut it because it just melted in your mouth. We also got each of their sides and all were perfect! Franklin Barbecue is a must visit while in Austin. I'll be thinking about this place for a while, it was that good.

TLDR: Henry's Barbecue is a bare-bones, budget stop by the airport; the food is fine, so it's only…read moreworth it out of convenience. Overview: Located near the airport, Henry's Barbecue is as no-frills as they come: a plain, tile-floored room with basic tables, a small ordering table up front, and minimal amenities. Parking is limited to a small lot. Ordering is straightforward, and during a noon visit, the food took about ten minutes to come out from the back. Food: Prices are the main appeal. With brisket at $29/lb, ribs at $24/lb, sausage at $18/lb, and sides/banana pudding at $3 each, Henry's is in the Rudy's/True Texas BBQ price tier. Unfortunately, the food itself is alright at best. The meats arrived steaming hot, which suggested holding or a too-hot reheat. The brisket tasted beefy but under-seasoned, with a shy bark and more chew than moist slices should have. The ribs were tender and lightly glazed yet short on smoke and salt, landing bland rather than juicy. The regular sausage was moist but a bit tough and carried an off note that distracted from the snap. The sides were steadier. The mac and cheese is a creamy, stovetop style: rich and comforting but one-note. The potato salad was the clear winner: creamy with a subtle sweetness and tang that balanced the plate. The banana pudding tasted like it was made from a mix, light on real banana flavor with firm wafers. The value is undeniable at these prices, but when chains at similar cost often execute cleaner, the math gets tougher. Final Thoughts: Henry's works as a quick, inexpensive plate near the airport when convenience is the priority. If you're after well-seasoned, smoke-forward Central Texas barbecue, there are better options at the same price point. A serviceable stop, but not a recommendation.

If you're near the Austin airport, Henry's BBQ on Research Road is worth the stop. No-frills spot…read morewith legit Texas BBQ. The brisket was juicy with a great smoke ring and bark, and the ribs were tender with a rich, sticky sauce. The mac & cheese and potato salad were solid and tasted homemade. They also give you a few sauces on the side, which is a nice touch. Simple setup, but the food delivers. I'd definitely come back.

Service was amazing Tyson went above and beyond. Food was ok. Questions was the bomb…read more We will be back.

There is nothing I enjoy more than wandering into a small town and finding a fantastic restaurant!…read more Trust me, you now have another reason to drive to Johnson City. Yes, they have antique stores, a mortor cycle museum, the annual Rodeo, and LBJ's boyhood home. But they have some very interesting restaurants as well. Let me tell you about Proof of Cooper. My wife and I were on one of my adventures, picking up some items an hour from home. It's hot, late afternoon and we wanted a cocktail and good food. We walked into Proof of Cooper to look at the menu, we were greeted by lovely smells of cooking coming from the kitchen. This was the place for us. We ordered an Old Fashion and a Peach Fashioned. My Old Fashion was perfect! Great balance of whisky and sweetness. My wife really enjoyed her Peach fashioned. The menu has a lot of variety, Texas favorites for sure. It was hard to choose. We were told they did their BBQ out back, this restaurant does not look like your typical BBQ place. The bar is home town but the dining room is Hunting club rustic. To order, I had the smoked turkey club on Texas toast with green beans, my wife had the BBQ sample plate with Mac and cheese & pit master beans. Her meat choices were brisket, pulled pork and spare ribs. My sandwich was great! The bread was toasted just right, the turkey has a nice smoky flavor with ham and bacon. Loved the green beans. Then I stole some of the pit master beans off my wife's plate. Oh some dam good. And so was the Mac and cheese. Brisket and pulled pork were tender, flavorful and just right, on par with some of the best bbq places I have eaten at here in Texas. Spare ribs were too firm for my wife but I enjoyed them. The staff was wonderful. Very helpful, nice and fun to work with. This is a family owned restaurant and the staff that we met were all born and raised here. We look forward to coming back to Johnson City and visiting Proof of Cooper again. If just to try the delicious looking desserts we had no room for, see our photos.

BEST WINGS AROUND!!!!! Spicy Ranch is AMAZING!!!!!…read more Love going here for UT games and birthday celebrations!!

Be very careful about where you park…read more I visited Pluckers and the parking lot directly in front of the restaurant was at capacity. A Pluckers staff member told us that we could park in the front of a neighboring business because there was no room in the Pluckers lot. We followed the employee's instructions and parked where we were directed. Unfortunately, my vehicle was later towed from that location, resulting in an unexpected towing expense. I understand that neighboring businesses have their own parking policies, but when a restaurant employee directs customers to park somewhere, I would expect that employee to know whether that location is actually permitted for customer parking--or at minimum clearly warn customers of the risk. I have contacted Pluckers to request reimbursement for the towing expense and am waiting to see how management handles the situation. If you visit this location, I strongly recommend confirming exactly where you are allowed to park before leaving your vehicle. I hope no one else has to bear the payment of a $334.33 tow invoice.

I hadn't had Arlo's in 7 years just about, but during a business trip I was craving a good vegan…read moreburger. I had the pleasure of speaking with the owner prior to my arrival. He had given me new updates on what's changed to Arlo's. He told me that they are no longer a good truck and moved to the ghost kitchen set-up out of the Lovebirds bar. He told me to order via the website and pick up at a side window. He even told me to call him back if the food isn't good. I ensured him that his food was the bomb diggity so there would be no need for a follow-up call. Whew Chile, if you're ever craving a BBQ burger, don't pass up the sweet, spicy, messy, and fulfilling goodness of this burger. Pair it with the tots and you got yourself a delicious meal. Speaking of the tots they are perfectly seasoned with salt. Big, juicy, thick ass burger. So good that you'd be in a food coma if you finish every bite in one sitting. Luckily I couldn't subject myself to continuous bed rest, I saved some for later so that I can continue to savor the luscious goodness. Absolute best as always!

Everything was good. The service nice. The environment was cozy. I really enjoyed the experience…read more The only thing I would suggest that the food be brought out to the customer. I was a first time guest and I don't realize that I would have to go out the building to a side window. My food had been ready for about 12 minutes and I didn't realize because I was expecting it to come out to me or at least have my name called when it was ready. You order through a QR code.

I could just cut and paste Steve W and Jim N's reviews, as I agree Cabernet is a strong 5-star…read moreexperience. We were seated upstairs, which I highly recommend as it is a cozy room and is noticeably quieter than the large downstairs area. This is a Texas-themed restaurant with an expansive Texas wine and beer list. We began our night with two perfect Martinis and their Comp carrot soup. Our App, the pepper jack Lobster boudin balls, was unique and delicious. Plus one ordered the Filet, and it was cooked perfectly with a nice char and a medium red center. I went full throttle Texan with the chicken-fried ribeye. I'm not a chicken-fried guy, but man, was this delicious. The breading was lite and the steak was oh so tender. Our Ron Yates Cab was a perfect complement to our entrees. Service throughout our meal was very attentive, and the atmosphere made for a wonderful evening. If you are seeking a true upscale hill country dining experince then Cabernet is an excellent choice. Tip: Make reservations, especially on the weekends.

Cabernet Grill is a tough one for me. This place has so much potential but simply does not live up…read moreto the hype. I am not a local and it took me 3 visits before I had an opportunity to dine in their restaurant. I have been to my fair share of fine dining establishments but Cabernet Grill operates with an attitude as if they are above and beyond anyone and everyone. They think they're the best and you'll be hard pressed to convince them otherwise. I have family that have dined in Cabernet Grill with friends and their experience was mixed. When a server pours wine, spills it on your shirt and doesn't offer as much as an apology you know you're in for a bumpy ride. My first attempt was denied because we were 30min late to our reservation due to unforeseen circumstances and were turned away immediately. My second attempt was denied because I had my small dog with me at Beckers Vineyards and went straight to our reservation at Cabernet Grill and were told absolutely no dogs allowed. Bear in mind they have an extensive patio area with tons of space that would certainly accommodate a certified emotional support animal. We were told absolutely not. I told my family to stay while I took my dog back to the hotel and the host said all parties must be present during the reservation time. If I were to leave our reservation would be pulled and we would not be allowed to dine in the restaurant. So we left. Fast forward my 3rd attempt and we finally were offered access after complying with all their rules and regulations. At this point one would assume if a restaurant exudes this much attitude from the get-go then surely the food must be the best I've ever experienced certainly the best in Fredericksburg. That could not be further from the truth. For starters they offer an item called Honey Butter Drop Biscuits. They intentionally separated that item into its own section so they could poke a jab towards a food critic from San Antonio by name! Who does that? I have personally never seen a restaurant go so far as to single handily call someone out by name in their own menu because they were not satisfied with their remarks. I would have never known who he was or that he did not approve of the biscuits had they not laid it out point blank for all their guests to see. They have a plethora of wine bottles displayed throughout the restaurant. None of these bottles are designed for consumption. Granted they have an extensive wine menu. However, It's a shame they have chosen to let all the bottles on display go bad just for presentation purposes. I took a light to the inside of some of the display bottles and it's clear they had all turned a long time ago. At this point I'm ordering their 14oz USDA Prime Ribeye and expecting it to blow me away. However, I grew hesitant when the server offered several sauce options to pair with my steak. If the steaks are truly that good a sauce is going to take away from the flavor profile. Yes, the presentation was spot on. Unfortunately the steak did in fact need the sauce. Forgive me for expecting a top quality dry aged ribeye with a buttery complex flavor profile. This was not that. In fact, I could go to my local HEB, pick-up a prepackaged Prime Ribeye and the result would have been the same. That said, the best item I consumed were the grilled vegetables and the rest of my table can concur. The flavor was spot on, the pairings were truly unique making it a standout option from the rest of the meal. Yes, the steak was cooked to perfection but you cannot treat your restaurant to a Michelin Star standard with that level of beef. Cabernet Grill would be so much better off without the excessive attitude and all the hurdles I had to jump through just for an opportunity to dine at the restaurant. Those hurdles create expectations that are simply not met which only results in a level of disappointment that encourages me to look for alternatives while sharing my experience with friends and family that know my recommendations will result in a positive drama free experience. I'm glad I was finally able to experience Cabernet Grill. I'm just sad it did not live up to the expectations because I was genuinely hoping it would. They could learn a thing or two from Mastro's in terms of hospitality and expectations.